Soaking pit



Aug. 6, 1963 G. s. MlcAN ETAL SOAKING PIT 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed Jan. 17, 1958 VSM. I

INVENTORS 650265 .5. ,1l/24N Aug. 6, 1963 G. s. MlcAN ETAL SOAKING PIT 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Original Filed Jan. 17, 1958 United States Patent O George S. Micah, Pittsburgh, Pa., and Clarence W. Sidwell, Flossmoor, Ill., assigner-s to United States Steel Corporation, a corporation of New lIersey Continuation of application Ser. No. 709,675, lan. 17,

1958. is application Nov. 23, 1960, Ser. No. '71,212 9 Claims. (Cl. 263-15) rllhis application which relates to a soaking pit and more particularly to a soaking pit for heating steel ingots is a continu-ation of our co-pending application Serial No. 709,675, tiled Ianuary 17, 1958, now abandoned. In the soaking pits of which we have knowledge, especially .those using low calorilic fuel, the heated lair from the regenerato-rs or recuperators is delivered to the heating chamber over a bridge wall. One such type soaking pit is shown in the Isley Patent No. 1,852,306, dated April 5, 1932. Since this bridge wall is exposed to high temperatures on three sides, chil-l boxes are provided in the bridge wall in an attempt to cool the wall and to minimize the eifect of slag cutting. However, overheating of .the bridge wall and breakthroughs due to soupy materials on the heating 'chamber bottom yoften occurs. The bridge wall also prevented proper heating of the bottom of the ingots in front of the port from the regenerators. Construction of prior soating pits is also such that there is little provision for removing cinder, coke, breeze and the like from beneath the furnace. The regeneratcrs and ues Aare also close together so that a common wall was provided therebetween. This resulted in leakage of air and llue gases from orne flue and regenerator to the other. The regenerators were also located close to the heating chamber, thus cutting down the available space for cleaning and repairing.

It is therefore :an object of our invention to provide a soaking pit wherein the chill plate and bridge wall are eliminated.

Another object is to provide such a soaking pit in which space is provided beneath the soaking pit for removing cinder, coke breeze and the like.

Still another object is to provide a soaking pit wherein the danger of leakage of air and flue gas is reduced and wherein the Iflues :and regenerators lare readily accessible for repair.

A further object is to provide a soaking pit wherein the Ifuel and air are intimately mixed and the heat is readily transferred to all parts of the ingots.

These and other objects will be more apparent after referring to the following specification and attached drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a sc .ematic sectional plan view taken on the line I I of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 2 is a view taken on the line II-ll of FIG- URE l;

FIGURE 3 is a View taken on the line IIII-III of FIG- URE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a View similar to FIGURE l but showing the soaking pit provided with a recuperato-r rather than with regenen-alors;

FIGURE 5 is a View, similar to FIGURE l, showing a third embodiment of our invention;

FIGURE 6 is a View, similar to FIGURE l, showing a [fourth embodiment of `our invention;

FIGURE 7 is a view, similar to FIGURE 1, showing a iifth embodiment of our invention;

FIGURE 8 is Ia View, similar to FIGURE l, Showing a sixth embodiment of our invention; and

FIGURE 9 is a view, similar to FIGURE 1, showing a seventh embodiment of our invention.

Referring more particularly to FIGURES 1 to 3 of the drawings, reference numeral 2 indicates a soaking pit which has a dual hea-ting chamber with two compartments 4 and 6 separated by a wall :8 having an opening 10 therethrough. Two rows of steel ingots S are arranged in each yof the compartments 4 and 6. The furnace Z is supported on transverse beams 12 which in turn are supported on longitudinal ,beams 14. The beams 14 are sup'- -por'ted on spaced columns 16 so as to provide an opening beneath the soaking pit. A removable cover 18 of any standard type is pnovided for the chambers 4l and 6. A pair of heat exchangers or regeneratons 20A and ZtlB are connected to the chambers 4 and 6 by means of flues 22A and 212B, respectively. The bottoms of the flues 22A and 22B are a short distance :above the bottom or the chambers 4 yand 6. Bunners 24A and 24B are directed through the walls of flues 22A and 22B, respectively. rIlhe ingo-ts S rest on the usual coke bed 26. A cleanout opening 28 is provided in each lof the compartments 4 and 6. The lines 22A and 22B open into the heating chamber in spaced relationship to the adjacent walls of the compartments d and t6 so as to provide offsets 39A and 30B. Ibis keeps the burning gases 'away from the sidewalls of the chambers and prevents lay-passing of the ingots. 'Ilhe length L of the soaking pit 2 is such that the llues 22A and 22B are separated and need not have a common wall as in :the conventional construction. This prevents, circulation of air and line gas between the ues and also permits ready repair. The flues 22A .and 22B are long (for example, ten feet or more) so that a space 32 is provided in the basement to permit ready removal of cinder and the like. This construction also enables the regenerators 20A and 20B to be located in a lean-to 34 located outside the main building 36, thus increasing the capacity of the soaking pit shop.

rThe operation of the soaking pit is as follows.:

Assuming that air is passing through the flue 22A and the )burner 24A is delivering fuel, the fuel and air -will mix and bum and the burning gases will pass into chamber 4 land out through opening 10 into chamber 6. The gases then pass through the llue 22B and the regenerator 201B to the stack. After la. given period of time the soaking pit is reversed in the usual manner and air heated in the regenerator 20B Iwill pass through flue 22B where it is mixed with fuel from the burner 24A. The burning gases pass ythrough the chamber 6 and out through opening il@ to the chamber 4. 'I'he gases then pass through the llue 22A and the regenerator 20A land out the stack. Because o-f the construction of the flues and compartments ll and 6 the fuel and air are well mixed and the gases `are directed to all corners of the heating chamber.

If desired, a recuperator 38 may be used in place of the regenerators 20A and 20B in `which case there will be Ano reversal of the furnace and the flue 22B will be connected to the recuperator 38 as showln in FIGURE 4.

In the embodiment of our invention shown in FIG- URE 5 a single chamber 40 is provided for the ingots S with the construction otherwise being the same as in FIGURES 1 to 3. Here, too, the length L of the soaking pit is suicient to permit separate walls for the flues 22A and 22B and the regenerators 20A -and 20B. The operation of this soaking pit is the Same as that of FIG- URES 1 to 3. In other Words, the fuel for burner 24A and the heated air from line 22A are mixed and burned with the burning gases passing in a U-shaped path through the chamber 46 and exhausting through the flue 22B. Upon reversal the fuel from burners 24B and the heated air from flue 22B are mixed and burned with the burning gases passing in a U-shaped path through the chamber 49 to the flue 22A.

FIGURE 6 shows another type of heating chamber 42 which is similar to that of FIGURE 5 except that one side of the chamber is rounded at `t4 to facilitate gas 3 ow. The other parts of the soaking pit are otherwise the same 4as in FIGURES 1 to 3 and the operation thereof is lthe same. j

FIGURE 7 shows another embodiment of our invention in which the soaking pit has ftwo compartments 46 and 48 having a wall 50 therebetween with an opening 52 therein. A regenerator 54 is connected by means of a flue 56 to one end of the chamber 46 and by la tlue 58 to the other end of the chamber 46. Burners 60 and 62 are provided in the walls of dues 56 and 58, respectively. The arrangement of the lines except for the necessity of additional bends is the same `as in the other ernbodiments. A regenerator 64 is connected to one end of chamber 48 through ue 66 and to the other end through ue 68. A burner 70 is provided in the wall of flue 66 and a similar 4burner 72 is provided in the wall of nue 68. The arrangement of the iiues 66 and 68 is the same as the arrangement of flues 56 and 58. The construction is otherwise essentially the same as in FIG- URES 1 to 3. In operation, fuel from burners 60 and 62 is mixed with hot air yfrom regenerator 54 and the burning gases pass through chamber 46 and opening 52 to chamber 48. The gas then passes through ues 66 and 68 to the regenerator 64. Upon reversal the fuel from burners 70 and 72 is mixed with hot air from tregenerator 64 and the burning -gases pass from chamber 48 through opening 52 to the chamber 46. The gases then pass from chamber 46 through flues 56 and 58 to regenerator 4.

FIGURE 8 shows a somewhat diierent embodiment of our invention in which two chambers 74 and 76 are provided in spaced apart relationship- A regenerator 78 is connected to one end of chamber 74 through a ue 80. A similar regenerator 82 is connected to one end of chamber 76 through a liuc 84. A regenerator 86 is connected to the other end of chambers 74 and 76 through a ue 88 having branches 88A and 88B. Burners 90, 92, 94 and 96 are provided in the flues 80, 84, 88A and 88B, respectively, in the same manner as in the other embodiments. The arrangement of the parts is otherwise essentially the same as that of the other embodiments. In the operation of this soaking pit fuel from burners 90 and 92 will mix with hot air `from regenerators 78 and 82. The burning gases pass through chambers 74 and 76 and through the flue 88 to the regenerator 86. Upon reversal fuel from 'burners 94 and 96 will mix with hot air from the regenerator 86. The burning gasses pass through chambers 74 and 76 to the regenerators 78 and 82, respectively.

FIGURE 9 shows still another embodiment of our invention having a heating chamber 98. A regenerator 100 is connected to one lcorner of heating chamber 98 by means of a flue 102. A regenerator 104 is connected to the diagonally opposite corner of chamber 98 through a ilue 106. Construction of the combustion chamber, flues and regenerators is otherwise essentially the same as in the other embodiments. Burners 108 and 110 are provided in the ilues 102 and 106, respectively. In operartion fuel from burner 108 mixes with hot air from regenerator 100 and the burning gases pass through the chamber 98 containing the ingots S in a Z path and then through the ilus 106 to regenerator 104. Upon reversal fuel from burner 110 mixes with hot air from regenerator 104 and the burning gases pass through the chamber 98 to `the flue 102 and then to the regenerator 100.

While several embodiments of our invention have been shown and described it will be apparent that other adaptations and modifications may be made without departing from the-scope of the following claims.

We claim:

1. A soaking pit :for heating ingots comprising a heating chamber for receiving ingots, vertical columns spaced apart longitudinally and transversely of said heating chamber, spaced horizontal beams supported by said columns beneath said heating chamber for supporting the heating chamber, the spacing of said columns and the distance between the bottoms of said beams and `the bottoms of said columns being such as to permit free circulation of air and ready accessibility to the bottom of said heating chamber, ya heat exchanger for beating air, a long general- -ly horizontal lue connecting said heat exchanger to said chamber, means for delivering fuel into said ue at the end adjacent said chamber, and means for supporting said flue with an air space therearound, said last named means including vertical columns spaced apart longitudinally and transversely of said flue, spaced horizontal beams supported by said last named columns beneath said line for supporting said liuc, the spacing of said last named columns and the distance between the bottoms of said last named beams xand the bottoms of said last named columns being such as to permit free circulation of air and ready accessibility to the bottom of said flue.

2. A soaking pit for heating ingots comprising a heating chamber for receiving ingots, vertical columns spaced yapart longitudinally and transversely of said heating chamber, spaced horizontal beams supported by said columns beneath said heating chamber for supporting the heating chamber, the spacing of said columns and the distance between the bottoms of said beams and the bot- .toms of said .columns being Asuch as to permit free circulation of air and -ready accessibility to the bottom of said heating chamber, -two regenerators, a long ilue connecting `each of said regenerators :to said chamber, means for selectively delivering air into said lines from said regenerators, means for selectively delivering fuel into the air carrying ilue at the end adjacent said chamber, means for supporting each of said ilues with an air space therearound, each of said last named means including vertical columns spaced apart longitudinally land transversely of the associated flue, spaced horizontal beams supported by said .last named columns beneath said associated flue for supporting said associated line, the spacing of said last named columns and the distance between the bottoms of said last named beams and the bottoms of said last named columns being such as to permit free circulation of air and ready accessibility to the bottom of said associated flue.

3. A soaking pit for heating ingots comprising a heatting chamber for receiving ingots, vertical columns spaced apart longitudinally and transversely of said heating chamber, spaced horizontal beams supported by said columns beneath said heating chamber for supporting the heating chamber, the spacing of said columns and the distance between the bottoms of said beams and the bottoms of said columns being such as to permit free circulation of air and ready accessibility to the bottom of said beating chamber, two regenerators arranged on one side of the heating chamber in spaced apart relationship with each other and with the 4heating chamber, a long liuc connecting each of said regenerators to said chamber, means for selectively delivering air into said flues from said regenerators, means for selectively delivering fuel into the air carrying flue at the end adjacent said chamber, the connections of said liues to said heating chamber being in spaced apart relationship on the same side of said heating chamber as the regenerators so that the yfuel burns and travels in a generally U-shaped path from one flue to the other, and means for supporting each of said ues with an air space therearound, each of said last named means including vertical columns spaced apart longitudinally and transversely of the associated flue, spaced horizontal beams supported by said last named columns beneath said associated flue for supporting said associated flue, the spacing of said last named columns and the distance between the bottoms of said last named beams and the bottoms of said last named columns being such as to permit free circulation of air and ready accessibility to the bottom of said associated ue.

4. A soaking pit for generally rectangular heating ingots comprising a heating chamber for receiving ingots, said chamber having diagonally opposite corners vertical columns spaced apart longitudinally `and transversely of said heating chamber, spaced horizontal beams supported by said columns beneath said heating chamber for supponting the heating chamber, the spacing of said columns and the distance between the bottoms of said beams and the bottoms of said columns being such as to permit free circulation of air and ready accessibility -to the bottom of said heating chamber, two regenerators, a long ue connecting each of said regenerators to salid chamber, means for selectively delivering air into said fines from said regenerators, means for selectively delivering fuel into the air carrying flue at the end adjacent said chamber, said ues being connected to said heating chamber on diagonally opposite corners of said heating chamber, and means for supporting each of said ues with an air space therearound, each of said last named means including vertical columns spaced apart longitudinally and transversely of the associated iiue, spaced horizontal beams supported by said last named columns beneath said associated :due for supporting said associated flue, the spacing of said last named columns and the distance between the bottoms of said last named beams and the bottoms of said last named columns being such as to permit free circulation of air and ready accessibility to the bottom of said associated flue.

5. A soaking pit for generally rectangular heating ingots comprising a heating chamber for receiving ingots, vertical columns spaced apart longitudinally and transversely of said heating chamber, spaced horizontal beams supported by said columns beneath said heating chamber for supporting the heating chamber, the spacing of said columns and the distance between the bottoms of said beams and the bottoms of said columns being such as to permit free circulation of air and ready accessibility to the bottom of said heating member, a heat exchanger for heating air, a long generally horizontal tine connecting said heat exchanger to said chamber, the bottom of said ue being a short distance above the plane of the bottom of said heating chamber and the top of said flue being a substantial distance below the top of said chamber, said flue opening into said heating chamber through one wall of said heating chamber in spaced relationship to the wall of said heating chamber adjacent said one wall, means for delivering fuel into said line at the end adjacent said chamber, and means for supporting said ilue with an air space therearound, said last named means including vertical columns spaced apart longitudinally and transversely of said iiue, spaced horizontal beams supported by said last named columns beneath said tlue for supporting said ue, the spacing of said last named columns and the distance between the bottoms of said last named beams and the bottoms of said last named columns being such as to permit free circulation of air and ready accessibility to the bottom of said hue, said ue adjacent said chamber increasing in cross section toward its outlet into said chamber.

6. A soaking pit for heating ingots comprising a heating chamber for receiving ingots, vertical columns spaced apart longitudinally and transversely of said heating chamber, spaced horizontal beams supported by said columns beneath said heating chamber for supporting the heating chamber, the spacing of said columns and the distance between the bottoms of said beams and the bottoms of said columns being such as to permit free circulation of air and ready accessibility to the bottom of said heating chamber, two regenerators arranged on one side of the heating chamber in spaced apart relationship with each other and with the heating chamber, a long ue connecting each of said regenerators to said chamber, the bottoms or" said ues being a short distance above the plane of the bottom of said heating chamber, the end of each flue adjacent said heating chamber increasing in cross-section toward its outlet into said chamber, means for selectively delivering air into said tlues from said regenerators, and means for selectively delivering fuel into the air carrying flue at the end adjacent said chamber, the connections of said flues to said heating chamber being in spaced apart relationship on the same side of said heating chamber as the regenerators so that the fuel burns and travels in a generally U-shaped path from one flue to the other, and means for supporting each of said ues with an air space therearound, each of said last named means including vertical columns spaced apart longitudinally and transversely of said line, spaced horizontal beams supported by said last named columns beneath said ue for supporting said line, the spacing of said last named columns and the distance between the bottoms of said last named beams and the bottoms of said last named columns being such as to permit free circulation of air and ready accessibility to the bottom of said associated line.

7. A soaking pit tor heating ingots comprising a heating chamber -for receiving ingots, vertical columns spaced apart longitudinally and transversely of said heating chamber, spaced horizontal beams supported by said columns beneath said heating chamber for supporting the heating chamber, the spacing of said columns and the distance between the bottoms of said beams and the bottoms of said columns being such -as to permit free circulation of air and ready accessibility to the bottom of said heating cham-ber, two regenerators spaced from said heating chamber with the bottoms thereof being at a level at least substantially as high as the bottom of the heating chamber, means for supporting said regenerators so as to penrnit free circulation of air thereunder, a long ue connecting each of said regenerators to said chamber, means for selectively delivering air into said flues `from said regenerators, means for selectively delivering fuel into the air carrying iiue at the end adjacent said chamber, means `for supporting `each of said lines with an air space therearound, each of said last named means including vertical columns spaced apart longitudinally and transversely of the associated flue, and spaced horizontal beams -supported by said last named columns beneath said associated flue =for supporting said associated ilue, the spacing of said last named columns and the distance between the bottoms of said last named beams and the bottoms of said last named columns being such as to permit free circulation of air and ready accessibility to the bottom of said associated iiue.

8. A soaking pit for heating ingots comprising a heating chamber `for receiving ingots, vertical columns spaced apart longitudinally and transversely of said heating chamber, spaced horizontal beams supported by said colrumns beneath said heating chamber for supporting the heating chamber, the spacing of said columns and the distance between the bottoms of said beams and the bottoms of said columns being such as to permit free circulation of air and ready accessibility to the bottom of said heating chamber, two regenerators arranged on one side of the heating chamber in spaced apart relationship with each other and with the heating chamber, the bottoms of said regenerators being at a level at least substantial-ly as high as the bottom of the heating chamber, means yfor supporting said regenerators so as to permit free circulation of air thereunder, each of said last named means including vertical columns spaced apart longitudinally and transversely `of the lassociated regenerator, a long substantially horizontal ue connecting each of said regenerators to said chamber, means for selectively delivering air into said flues from said regenerators, means for selectively delivering fuel into the 'air carrying flue at the end adjacent said chamber, the connections of said ues to said heating chamber being in spaced apart relationship on the same side of said heating chamber as the regenerators so that the fuel burns and travels in a generally U-shaped path Vfrom one flue to the other, and means ffor supporting each of said flues with an ai-r space therearound, each of said llast named means including vertical columns spaced apart longitudinally and transversely of the lassociated nue, spaced horizontal beams supported by said last named columns beneath said associated flue for supporting said associated due, the spacing of said -last named columns and the distance between thebottoms of said last named beams and the bottoms of said last named columns being sucxh as to permit rtree circulation of air and ready accessibility to the bottom of said associated ue.

9. A soaking pit `for beating ingots comprising a heating chamber lfor lreceiving ingots, vertical columns spaced apart longitudinally `and transversely of said heating chamber, spaced horizontal beams supported by said columns beneath said heating chamber rfor supporting the heating chamber, the spacing of said columns and the distance between the Ibottoms of said beams and the bottoms of said columns lbeing such as to permit free circulation of ait and ready accessibili-ty to the bottom of said beating chamber, two regenerators arranged on one side of the heating chamber in spaced apart relationship with `each other and 'with the heating chamber, the bottoms of said regenerators being at a level at least substantially as high as the bottom of the beating chamber, means Vfor supporting said regenerators so as to permit free circulation of air thereundeneach of said last named means including vertical columns spaced apart longitudinally and transversely of the associated regenerator, a long substantially horizontal iiue connecting each of said regenerators to said chamber, the bottoms of said ilues being a short distance above the plane of .the bottom of said heating chamber, the end of each ilue adjacent said heating chamber increasing in cross-section toward its outlet -into said chamber, means for selectively delivering air into said ues from said regenerators, and

means for selectively delivering fuel into the air carrying flue at the end adjacent said chamber, the connections of said dues to said Lheating chamber being in spaced apart relationship `on the same side of said heating chamber as the regenerators so that the fuel burns and travels inV a generally U-shaped path from one ilue to the other, `and means for supporting each of said ues with an air space therearound, each of said last named means including vertical columns spaced apa-rt longitudinally and transversely of said ue and spaced horizontal beams supported by said last named columns beneath said ue -for supporting said ue, the spacing of said last named .columns and the distance between the bottoms of said last named beams and the bottoms of said last named columns being such as to permit free circulation of air and ready accessibility -to the bottom of said associated ue.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 59,214 Hall et al. Oct. 30, 1866 1,307,338 Baumann lune 24, 1919 1,805,001 Naisrnith et al May 12, 1931 1,978,191 Forter Oct. 23, 1934 2,061,376 Geer Nov. 17, 1936 2,179,848 Forter Nov. 14, 1939 2,196,321 Morton et al Apr. 9, 1940 2,351,661 Catter et al. June 20, 1944 2,397,810 Roof Apr. 2, 1946 2,795,409 Hall Iune 11, 1957 3,052,456 Pugsley et al Sept. 4, 1962 UNITED STATES PATENT oEEICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No., 3, lO() 107 August 6, 1963 George S, Mican et a1n It s hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column l9 line 74, strike out "generally rectangular" and insert the same after 3" in line 75, same column 1; column 5, line 26, strike out. "generally rectangular" and inserte the same after "a" n line 27 same Column 5; column 5, line 35 for "member" read chamber Signed and sealed this 25th day of February 1964a (SEAL) Attest:

EDWIN L: REYNOLDS ERNEST W. SWIDER Attesting Officer Ac t i ng Commissioner of Patents 

1. A SOAKING PIT FOR HEATING INGOTS COMPRISING A HEATING CHAMBER FOR RECEIVING INGOTS, VERTICAL COLUMNS SPACED APART LONGITUDINALLY AND TRANSVERSELY OF SAID HEATING CHAMBER, SPACED HORIZONTAL BEAMS SUPPORTED BY SAID COLUMNS BENEATH SAID HEATING CHAMBER FOR SUPPORTING THE HEATING CHAMBER, THE SPACING OF SAID COLUMNS AND THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE BOTTOMS OF SAID BEAMS AND THE BOTTOMS OF SAID COLUMNS BEING SUCH AS TO PERMIT FREE CIRCULATION OF AIR AND READY ACCESSIBILITY TO THE BOTTOM OF SAID HEATING CHAMBER, A HEAT EXCHANGER FOR HEATING AIR, A LONG GENERALLY HORIZONTAL FLUE CONNECTING SAID HEAT EXCHANGER TO SAID CHAMBER, MEANS FOR DELIVERING FUEL INTO SAID FLUE AT THE END ADJACENT SAID CHAMBER, AND MEANS FOR SUPPORTING SAID FLUE WITH AN AIR SPACE THEREAROUND, SAID LAST NAMED 